Quick Take: Trading Apple Around Earnings

T3's Scott Redler tells traders the best Apple trades to make around the earnings report later today.

NEW YORK ( TheStreet) -- One of the biggest earnings reports this season will come Tuesday after the close when Apple ( AAPL)reports earnings.

T3Live.com's Scott Redler told the TheStreet's Debra Borchardt he wants to hear what management has to say.

The tech giant recently purchased mapping company Locationary and mobile application HopStop, while also being in the headlines for reportedly testing out larger screens.

So is it time to buy the stock? Redler, who said he's normally looking to play with a call spread, isn't quite ready yet. He said that he'd rather wait for the earnings results and company guidance during the conference call.

One thing Apple does have going for it is that expectations are very low among analysts. Should the company beat estimates, it will probably spark some form of a relief rally, assuming guidance isn't terrible, Redler said.

He pointed out that while the chart does have some downside support with a double bottom technical pattern around $385 per share, the stock has underperformed the S&P 500, which made another all-time intraday high on Tuesday.

Redler added that if Apple stock can get above $440, which is resistance, it should be able to make a fairly quick move to the 200-day simple moving average of about $480.

Redler concluded that it would be nice for the company to get some real positive catalysts. Devices such as the iWatch and some product refreshes -- with or without the larger screens -- would at least provide some positive chatter for the company.

Bret Kenwell currently writes, blogs and also contributes to Robert Weinstein's Weekly Options Newsletter. Focuses on short-to-intermediate-term trading opportunities that can be exposed via options. He prefers to use debit trades on momentum setups and credit trades on support/resistance setups. He also focuses on building long-term wealth by searching for consistent, quality dividend paying companies and long-term growth companies. He considers himself the surfer, not the wave, in relation to the market and himself. He has no allegiance to either the bull side or the bear side.